GLADIATOR’S READY.. FOR BATTLE
GFinlay Anderson reveals he’ll stream big moment with comrades after being posted overseas with his regiment HeaTHeR gReeNaWay
LADIATOR finalist Major Finlay Anderson has revealed he will be watching his big TV showdown in the middle of the desert where he is busy commanding British troops.
Finlay, 35, who is deployed in operations overseas with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, says he is sad he won’t be able to watch the show with his wife and two sons back home in Edinburgh.
But the 2Scots commander, who became a dad for the second time just a few weeks ago, admits it will be a lot of fun watching tomorrow night’s grand final with his Army comrades.
Speaking to the Daily Record from his barracks, Finlay, who takes on Leeds wrestler Wesley Male in the climax of the hit BBC show, said: “I’m on deployment at the moment but fortunately we have a way of streaming the show so I will get to watch the final with the rest of my company.
“The Army have been really supportive throughout my time on Gladiators and everyone out here is excited to see how I get on in the final. Of course, I’ve had a bit of banter but they are all willing me to do well. My wife, Lauren, and sons will be watching back home in Edinburgh. My youngest son, Darcy, was only born a few weeks ago so he will have no clue but my oldest son, Beauden, is three and is aware about what is going on.
“He loves watching Daddy on TV but he is not excitable in the least and while everyone else is cheering and going mad he’s like, ‘yeah that’s my dad.’”
Finlay, who qualified for the quarter finals as the fastest runner-up, smashed his semi-final and will go toe to toe with Wesley, who beat him by a split second in the first round Eliminator.
The dad-of-two, who joined the Army at 21 and now has 90 soldiers under his command, says his military training is the reason he got so far in the contest.
Finlay, who has been stationed all
over the world, said: “Not finishing until the job is done, that’s the military mindset against all costs and whatever it may take. I think that’s where the training really came into its own.
“I am used to being in stressful environments so being in the show was less intimidating for me than it was for other people.
“I’ve done the odd Army assault course in my time too, so I suppose that helped but the real advantage of Army preparation is the physical and mental resilience which keeps you calm under pressure.
“When the other contenders were sweating, I was just having a great time!”
Finlay, who broke a rib during the quarter-final, added: “I know I’m just a contender on the show, but I suppose being a soldier makes me and my Army pals real-life gladiators and warriors.
“If I was ever to become a Gladiator my name would have to be ‘Commander’ due to my passion for leading by example. I don’t know what my logo would be but a good entry song would be Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival.”
Finlay, who is a keen boxer and rugby player, admits winning would be incredible but just taking part in the reboot of the 1990s show has been a dream come true.
He said: “I watched the show when I was about five years old with my dad, Evan, and brother Jamie and absolutely loved it, so being on the show 30 years on felt like some sort of strange, surreal dream.
“No one imagined the series would make a comeback and it’s almost identical to the original with the same colours, music and most of the same events.”
Finlay, who would love to take on Wolf from the original Gladiators, added: “From building an Eliminator course with my brother in my granny’s living room in Wick to competing in the 2024 series is quite a leap. I never thought I would be on the show, never mind making it to the a final.”
Finlay, who is the only Scot to make it all the way through after Dunfermline dog walker Kerry Wilson, 35, was knocked out in last week’s semi-final, says he has great respect for all the Gladiators, especially Scottish dynamo Sabre. The soldier, whose wife is a ballet dancer and pilates instructor, said: “Sabre is a force to be reckoned with. She didn’t break character even when the cameras stopped rolling. I called her by her name Sheli and she said, ‘It’s Sabre to you.’ Having her as the Scottish Gladiator was brilliant. “The friendliest Gladiator has got to be Nitro. That infectious energy and smile keeps going backstage – he is like a giant happy Duracell Bunny. “Giant is an immovable force. I’ve never seen a human that size in my life and as for Viper, he doesn’t talk to anyone. I never heard him speak.” Finlay hopes his son will carry on his Gladiator legacy when he is old enough. He said: “One of my most memorable moments was jumping into the crowd and picking up my three-year-old son. I hope he is inspired to enter in 2044. It would be great to be starting a Gladiator dynasty.”
The Northumbria University graduate added: “Taking part in the show has been the most fun and surreal experience and I’ve met some of the nicest and most impressive people.
“For anyone considering being a contender I would urge them to prepare physically. You need to be functionally fit across as many skills as possible – running, climbing, jumping, balancing, lifting, wrestling – make your body bulletproof and be ready for anything.
“I would do it all again in a heartbeat and I am grateful to Scotland for cheering me on.
“Do I win? You’ll just have to tune in to find out.”
Gladiators is on tomorrow on BBC1 at 5.50pm.
i’m used to being in stressful environments so the show was less intimidating
FINLAY ANDERSON ON ARMY TRAINING